Not everyone in this age group may need screening for every condition listed here. Click on the links above to read more about each condition and to determine if screening may be appropriate for you or your family member. You should discuss screening options with your health care practitioner.

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common bacterialsexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States today, but many infected people have no symptoms. These infections usually affect the genitals but may also cause infections of other mucous membranes, eyes, or joints. Pregnant women may transmit the infections to their newborns. Often progressing silently, these diseases can cause infertility and other health complications if left untreated. However, both diseases can be cured with antibiotics.

While rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are highest in younger people, any sexually active person can get a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. Many people have both chlamydia and gonorrhea infections at the same time.

Recommendations for Women

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the American Academy of Family of Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend chlamydia screening for all sexually active adult women who have risk factors, such as a new or multiple sex partners. The CDC specifically recommends annual screening.

These organizations do not recommend routine screening for healthy, sexually active, heterosexual men. Health care providers may, however, use their judgment and consider risks, such as prevalence in the community. It is important to remember that an infected male can spread these diseases and even re-infect a partner if he does not complete treatment.

For sexually active males who have sex with other males, the CDC recommends chlamydia and gonorrhea screening at least annually.

Because reinfection rates are high, the CDC recommends that both women and men who are treated for chlamydia or gonorrhea infection be retested approximately 3 months after treatment or at their next health care visit, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were treated. It is important to continue annual screening for these diseases because reinfection is always possible.

United States Preventive Service Task Force. USPSTF Recommendations for STI Screening. Available online at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf08/methods/stinfections.htm through http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. Last updated March 2008. Accessed May 24, 2012.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea — Two Most Commonly Reported Infectious Diseases in the United States. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSTDData/ through http://www.cdc.gov. Last reviewed April 22, 2011. Accessed May 23, 2011.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STD Prevention Conference 2012. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/stdconference2012summaries.html through http://www.cdc.gov. Last reviewed March 14, 2012. Accessed May 23, 2012.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Well-Woman Care: Assessments and Recommendations. Available online through http://www.acog.org/. Issued March 29, 2012. Accessed June 1, 2012.

American Academy of Family Physicians. Gonorrhea. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/exam/gonorrhea.html through http://www.aafp.org. Accessed June 4, 2012.

American Academy of Family Physicians. Chlamydia. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/exam/chlamydia.html through http://www.aafp.org. Accessed June 4, 2012.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010 Treatment Guidelines, Special Populations. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/specialpops.htm#msm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed June 2012.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chlamydial Infections - 2010 Treatment Guidelines. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/chlamydial-infections.htm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed June 2012.

Screening for Gonorrhea: Recommendation Statement. Annals of Family Medicine 2005 May; 3(3): 263–267. Available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1466867/#r7 through http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed June 2012.

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This page was last reviewed on October 10, 2012. | This page was last modified on November 18, 2013.

The review date indicates when the page was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the page, so the two dates may not always agree.

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